July 27, 2008

Reverend Paul Pecchie, Pastor

Reverend Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

Deacon Richard Brady,

Deacon Kenneth Spaulding (Seasonal)

Deacon Ralph Bufano (Seasonal)

Retired Assisting Priests

Reverend Monsignor Richard Cahill

Reverend Kenneth Bonadies

Reverend Bernard MacAdam (Seasonal)

Music Director:

Mrs. Paulette King ................................................. x 316

Sacristans:

Sr. Castissima Masambo, CDNK .......................... x 304

Directors of Religious Education:

K-8th grade: M/M Joseph & Julie Blum................ x 320

Adult: Sr. Kathleen Luger, OSC............................ x 321

Outreach Ministries:

Sr. Rosamunda Massawe, CDNK.......................... x 321

Ms. Claire Obordo ................................................. x 302

Youth Ministry:

H.S.: M/M Pete & Marie O'Shea .......................... x 322

Jr. High: M/M Robert & Sue Tassinari ................ x 322

Seventeenth Sunday

in Ordinary Time

July 27, 2008 A.D.

Confessions are heard on Saturdays, 3:30 & 5:30 PM

(also Thursdays before First Friday at 8:30 AM).

Baptisms are arranged at least two months in advance

by calling the parish office.

Marriages are scheduled with the priest at least six

months ahead of time.

Anointing of the Sick: If you anticipate a hospital stay,

please ask to be anointed prior to hospitalization at one

of the daily Masses. In case of an emergency, please

call at any hour. The infirm may call the parish office to

arrange for a priest to anoint them at home.

Visits to the Homebound: Our Eucharistic Ministers

bring Holy Communion to our homebound

parishioners, usually on a weekly basis. Please call the

parish office if you are not able to attend Mass.

Parish Registration is done by attending a Welcome

Meeting and Breakfast. Please call the parish office for

details.

St. Patrick School, founded in 1959, provides an

excellent academic program (grades preK-8) in a

Christ-centered environment, nurturing each student in

mind, body and soul.

Principal: Sr. Veronica Visceglia, SSND ....... 581-4865

MASS SCHEDULE

Daily Mass

(Monday thru Saturday morning): 8:00 AM

Saturday Vigil

: 4:30 PM; Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9 AM, 11 AM.

Please note there will be no 5:30 pm in the summer.

The Pearl of Great Price

1507 Trotter Road, Largo, FL 33770

Mailing Address: 2121 - 16th Ave. SW, Largo, FL 33770

Parish Office: (727) 584-2318; Fax: (727) 586-5413

Website: www.stpatrick-largo.org

Summer Office Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9 am - 1:30 pm

Friday: 9 am - 12 noon

Page 2 - Sunday, July 27, 2008

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Friends in Christ,

I hope you were able to see some of our Holy Father's trip to Australia for

World Youth Day. It is a powerful reminder to us that the Church is alive

and well. At times when we see the news reports about the church and see

Mass attendance dropping, we can get discouraged. Yet seeing hundreds of thousands

of youth gathering around the visible head of the Church, Pope Benedict XVI, was

inspiring, edifying and a reminder to all of us, no matter what age, how often do we

take our faith and Church for granted.

I would like to share with you some of our Holy Father's powerful words from his visit with the Youth:

False "gods", whatever name, shape or form we give them, are nearly always associated with the

worship of three things: material possessions, possessive love, or power. Let me explain what I mean.

Material possessions, in themselves, are good. We would not survive for long without

money, clothing and shelter. We must eat in order to stay alive. Yet if we are greedy,

if we refuse to share what we have with the hungry and the poor, then we make our

possessions into a false god. How many voices in our materialist society tell us that

happiness is to be found by acquiring as many possessions and luxuries as we can! But

this is to make possessions into a false god. Instead of bringing life, they bring death.

Authentic love is obviously something good. Without it, life would hardly be worth living. It fulfills

our deepest need, and when we love, we become most fully ourselves, most fully human.

But how easily it can be made into a false god! People often think they are being loving

when actually they are being possessive or manipulative. People sometimes treat others as

objects to satisfy their own needs rather than as persons to be loved and cherished. How

easy it is to be deceived by the many voices in our society that advocate a permissive approach to

sexuality, without regard for modesty, self-respect or the moral values that bring quality to human

relationships! This is worship of a false god. Instead of bringing life, it brings

death.

The power God has given us to shape the world around us is obviously something

good. Used properly and responsibly, it enables us to transform people's lives. Every

community needs good leaders. Yet how tempting it can be to grasp at power for its

own sake, to seek to dominate others or to exploit the natural environment for selfish

purposes! This is to make power into a false god. Instead of bringing life, it brings

death.

The cult of material possessions, the cult of possessive love and the cult of power

often lead people to attempt to "play God": to try to seize total control, with no

regard for the wisdom or the commandments that God has made known to us. This is

the path that leads towards death. By contrast, worship of the one true God means recognizing in him the

source of all goodness, entrusting ourselves to him, opening ourselves to the healing power of his grace

and obeying his commandments: that is the way to choose life.

Words that we can definitely take to heart! Words we need to learn to live by.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to make the '50s dance on July 19

, a wondrous

experience and trip down memory lane. All who attended had a great time reliving

their past youth as well as experiencing it for the first time for some of us.

Praised Be Jesus Christ,

Fr. Pecchie

JMJ

Fr. Paul Pecchie

ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH

Tel: 727-584-2318

Fr. Prakash Madanu, ALCP.

2121 - 16th Avenue SW, Largo, FL 33770

Fax: 727-586-5413

First Reading All you who thirst, come to the

water! You without money, come to the feast!

(Isaiah 55:1-3).

Psalm The hand of the Lord feeds us; he

answers all our needs (Psalm 145).

Second Reading Nothing can separate us from

the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

Gospel All ate until satisfied; they collected

twelve baskets of what was left over (Matthew

14:13-21).

Do I realize how much I am nourished

through the Eucharist? How am I

responding to those waiting to be fed?

We are . . . Disciples in Mission

Sharing our Faith in Christ

LISTEN TO YOUR DREAMS

God visits Solomon in a dream, and the scripture story nowhere

tells us that Solomon awoke to have this conversation with God! So,

still in his dream, Solomon answers God's question about what he

desires most, and God grants his request for wisdom in abundance.

In our waking hours, we are much distracted by work, home,

family, traffic, entertainment, and many worries. When we try to

think about what we really want out

of life, we have trouble even

imagining what that might be. But

deep inside, our real longings dwell,

known to God and to the Holy Spirit.

Our dreams, unencumbered by

defenses, may hold clues to what our

deepest needs are, or what bothers us

most. They could be God speaking.

Readings: August 3, 2008

th Sunday in Ordinary Time

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Parish & Evangelization - Page 3

The Beginning of the Ministry

Jerusalem: The Meeting with Peter "Three years later", Saul went up to Jerusalem to get to know Kephas (from the

word "Rock" in Greek), the name he always used for Peter and "remained with him for fifteen days" (Gal. 1:18). It is

certain that the latter taught him the oral tradition relating to Jesus which Paul had not known (cf. 1 Cor. 11:23-35), as

well as a Christological interpretation of the prophets, according to what the Master taught his disciples.

His visit was discreet: the only other Apostle of the Church whom Paul met was "James the brother of the

Lord" (Gal. 1:19). Paul was spiritually enriched through Mother-Church, but he could not integrate himself into it, most

likely due to his past involvement as a zealot. He even escaped from an assassination attempt by the Hellenist Jews (cf.

Acts 9:29-30).

He was sent on his way to Tarsus, where again he took up his work as a tentmaker, and continued to proclaim his

faith in the synagogue (cf. Acts 18:3). These were the years of his personal growth.

Antioch: The Beginning of the Missionary Adventure At the beginning of the 40s A.D., Barnabas was sent from the

Church of Jerusalem to Antioch of Syria in order to reclaim the Church established by the Hellenist missionaries who

were expelled from Jerusalem. He went to Tarsus to seek Paul's help and became one of the leaders of the community,

evangelizing with great success. This became the first separation from the synagogue environment, because Paul

preached also to the Greeks. Thus, a mixed community was established. The "invention" of the title Christians used for

the very first time in Antioch, represents one of the most beautiful fruits of Saul's preaching in this town.

Henceforward, the Church of Antioch would become the center for spreading the Gospel and living independently

from the Temple and the life of Judea.

The community of Antioch was arranged with a solid formation and organization. Thus, during a prayer assembly,

the inspiration of the community confirmed the personal vocation. The voice of the Holy Spirit was heard saying: "Set

apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2); then, the assembly prayed, fasted,

laid hands on the two men and sent them on their mission.

Barnabas and Paul sailed towards Cyprus. Once again it is the Holy Spirit who sent them in this direction:

announcing the Gospel in the synagogues in the Eastern part of the island, in Salamis, later in the West, in Paphos. From

this moment in time, Luke began to call Saul by his Roman name Paul, underscoring, in this way, his right of full title to

go on mission to "the nations".

Establishment of the Churches in Asia Minor ... On the way to Sebastopolis, beyond Taurus, Paul found himself

completely immersed in pagan territory, including cities that were strategic for Rome. Luke speaks of Paul's first

important missionary speech in the synagogue of Antioch of Psidia, a new Roman colony; after a discouraging welcome

by a majority of the Jews, Paul addressed himself to the Gentiles. Thus Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium, Lystra and

Derbe. The two Apostles strengthened the young communities.

On the one hand, they encouraged a common life among believers coming from Judaism and those newly converted

from paganism, thus making enemies among the leaders of the synagogues where they preached. On the other hand, they

appointed some "elders", according to the model of the Church of Jerusalem. When they accomplished this mission they

returned to the great city of Antioch of Syria.

St. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, pray for us.

All for the Greater Honor & Glory of God

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Page 4 - Faith Formation

St. Paul's Letter to the Corinthians

Sr. Kathleen

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CR)

Tuesday evenings

New 10 week course will begin in September.

Registration will begin in August.

Adult Bible Study

Sr. Kathleen

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (CR)

Wednesday, July 30th

Lectionary Bible Study

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA: Are you interested in learning more about the

Catholic faith? We invite you to join our RCIA inquiry

sessions where you will learn about the richness of our

Catholic faith and be introduced to our parish

family. These sessions are open to all who are not yet

baptized, those who are baptized in other Christian

denominations, and for those who are baptized in the

Catholic faith but have not received the sacraments of

Confirmation and Eucharist. Next inquiry meeting:

August 14th, 7 pm in the Conference Room. If you

have any questions please call Sr. Kathleen, ext. 321.

St. Patrick's Religious Education

Religious Education (K-8) Sundays, 10:30 - 11:45 AM

Men's Small Faith Sharing Group: We meet

on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM in the School

Media Center. All men are welcome to join us!

Mr. & Mrs.

Joseph &

Julie Blum

DRE, ext. 320

Going Deeper With Your Faith

Adult Education and Faith Formation

Religious

Ed.

PASTOR'S CLASS with Fr. Pecchie

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CR)

Monday, July 28th

We will continue to walk the path of

holiness in our examination of

authentic Spirituality.

Foundations of Personal Prayer: We meet

every Tuesday afternoon at 3 PM in the Msgr.

McCall Library.

Have you seen our Web page? Check out what's new and what you missed!

Visit www.stpatrick-largo.org today!

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Browse our books

in the comfort of the library in Msgr. McCall

Hall or check it out. For more information on

our Library Book Club, please phone Renee

at 584-3775 or Florence at 595-3254.

SHARE-A-PRAYER: If you or someone

you know needs special prayers, let us

pray with you. Phone 596-8284 or 584-

6954 and together we will lift our hearts to God!

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Council #

4892 meets on the second Thursday of

the month at 8 PM in the Cafeteria. Call

Bob Lamelle at 584-1234. See you there!

LEGION OF MARY

Meets every Thursday at 9

AM in the Conference Room. If you would like to

join, contact Peggy at 585-1597.

Our CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP, The

Hearts of Jesus and Mary Prayer Community

at St. Patrick, invite you to pray with us every

Wednesday at 7 PM in the Conference

Room. Join us every third Wednesday for a Healing

Mass at 7 PM in the Church, as we praise God in song,

learn from the scriptures and pray for each other. For

info, phone Bobbie 584-0503 or Margie 559-7449.

Religious Education for Children resumes in September.

If your child will be entering grades Kindergarten through 8th grade and will not be

attending a Catholic School, please register your child for faith formation classes in

August. Updates will be given in the parish weekly bulletin.

Our Diocese of St. Petersburg requires that children preparing to receive a sacrament

(i.e. First Reconciliation, First Communion or Confirmation) must be registered in

Religious Education classes for two years prior to the reception of the Sacrament.

Families who have recently moved into the area or whose children have not received

the sacraments are encouraged to contact our Religious Education Office, 584-2318, ext. 320.

Principal:

Sr. Veronica

Visceglia,

SSND

Jr. High Youth Ministers: Mr. & Mrs. Bob & Sue Tassinari, ext. 322

. P

ATRICK

ATHOLIC

CHOOL

ELEBRATING

OVER

YEARS

XCELLENCE

DUCATION

, L

EADERSHIP

& S

ERVICE

St. Patrick Catholic Youth

The Junior Youth Group meets on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 8:30

PM in the Youth Room. Newcomers are always welcome! If you

have any questions, please call Sue & Bob at 585-5546.

IND

, O

EART

, O

PIRIT

ENIOR

OUTH

ROUP

"By This Sign, You Will Conquer"

H.S. Youth Ministers:

Mr. & Mrs. Pete & Marie O'Shea, ext. 322

The Senior Youth Group meets during the summer on Saturday nights after the

4:30 PM Mass in the Youth Room. Youth in high school or older are welcome

to attend.

REGISTRATION

for 2008 - 2009

SCHOOL YEAR

REGISTRATION for

all grades (Pre-K-8)

is taking place. St.

Patrick is a fully accredited, Christ-

centered environment, known for

academic excellence. Come and see

what makes St. Patrick so special. For

information call

the school office

(727) 581- 4865.

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

School & Youth - Page 5

NEWSPAPER RECYCLING:

Newspapers, phone books, magazines and any paper

may be placed in the

Big Red Bin

on the east side of

the Church.

Proceeds support the school and

recycling is great for the earth!

Summer Office Hours for School:

Monday through Thursday

9 AM - 1 PM

July 27, 2008 17

Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

God invites us to ask for what we need. Consider what Solomon requested 

an understanding heart. What do you need as you seek to follow Jesus? (1 Kings 3:5, 7-12)

VOCATION VIEW:

UCHARISTIC

DORATION

EVERY

EDNESDAY

Come, pray with me!

Please consider spending even one hour each Wednesday to be with

Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration, beginning after the 8 AM Mass and concluding with

Benediction at 6:45 PM. Please sign up at the Church entrance. Wednesdays in

our Diocese are designated to pray for holy vocations to the priesthood. If you

would like to sign up, or if you would like more information, please contact Mrs.

Mary Blum at 581-0838.

We will pray a Rosary for Priests at 6:20 pm just before Benediction.

Page 6 - Stewardship

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

TEWARDSHIP

: T

IME

, T

ALENT

, T

REASURE

NOT

TOO

LATE

Celebrate our

OLDEN

UBILEE

in the

footsteps of St. Patrick

...by joining Fr. Pecchie on a special tour of

IRELAND September 15-25, 2008. Journey with us

as we travel in the footsteps of St. Patrick, and see his

impact upon Irish faith and culture. Educational

Opportunities Tours presents an exciting and

educational 11-day experience for approximately

$2698*. Cost includes roundtrip

airfare from New York, first class

hotels, traditional Irish breakfast

and Dinner daily, guided

sightseeing via deluxe motor

coaches and entrance fees.

Please contact Margie,

pilgrimage coordinator, for info

at 1-800-644-4659.

St. Patrick, Largo as of 07/08/08

PARISH INFORMATION:

Assessment: $127,546.00

This is the amount we must give to the

Diocese for the 2008 Appeal.

Pledged:

$ 63,585.88

Assessment

Balance:

$63,960.12

This is the amount pledged through the

Diocesan APA envelopes.

# of Gifts:

218

Average Gift:

$291.68

This is the number of gifts by our parishioners (out of our

1000 registered families) who have made a pledge by

sending their donation in the APA Diocesan envelope.

% of Assessment: 49.8 % Participation: 22.6

About 20% of our parishioners are participating!

We need your help! The amount you pledge by using

the Diocesan APA envelopes, marked "St. Patrick

Church, Largo # 370" is not assessed for next year's

APA. Please prayerfully consider making your pledge

today. Diocesan APA envelopes are found at the doors

of the church or at the church office.

HAVE YOU SENT IN YOUR PLEDGE?

2008 Annual Pastoral Appeal

Summary Report

May God bless you and your family!

Your generosity helps support our parish operating

expenses and our ministries each week, so that we

may serve you, our parishioners, better!

OFFERTORY

July 20, 2008 (342 Envelopes)

$ 7,822.00

Children's Envelopes (2 Envelopes)

$ 8.00

Helping Hands (Poor Box)

$ 287.00

2008

APA

St. Patrick's Weekly Offering of Thanksgiving

Stewardship Prayer

Father, every good gift comes from you.

You give generously

without refusing or reproaching anyone.

May our gifts assist the preaching of the gospel,

so that men may be remade in your likeness.

Amen.

EVENTEENTH

UNDAY

RDINARY

IME

"The law of Your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces," says the

psalmist today. Does the amount of my offering suggest that I could honestly say the same?

FROM THE MINISTRY OF

HELPING HANDS:

People are suffering evictions, loss of

jobs and the need for food. Help us

help them by donating to the poor box

found at the church entrance. Give us the

opportunity to help others with food,

power and utility bills. We are our

brothers' keepers. We are bound to

each other by the bond of love.

Thank you to

all parishioners

for your donations

and prayerful

support!

Mass Intentions

Pray

for our

Military

St. Sebastian and St. George, pray for us.

Pvt. Rose Barton, US Army, SC

Staff Sgt. William J. Condon, US Army, Iraq

Lt. Tara Dawe, US Army, NY

Lt. Comm. Shawn D. Fitzpatrick, USN, FL

PFC Brendan Gaines, USMC, VA

Sgt. Jason A. George, US Army, Iraq

Sgt. Jorge Granados, USMC, FL

Sgt. Joshua Harmon, KY

PFC Chris Hazelwood, US Army, AZ

Specialist Matthew Heaberlin, US Army, Iraq

Sr. Airman Sean Heaberlin, USAF, CA

Pvt. Amelia Hinkley/Fridley, US Army, Iraq

Staff Sgt. Matthew Hicks, US Army, MO

Airman Ryan Hines, US Air Force

Lt. Jr. William J. Howey, III, US Navy, CT

Sgt. Anthony Jordan, US Army Calvary, FL

CWO2 Robert Kidney, USCG, FL

Lance Corporal Nick Krege, USMC, Japan

PFC, John Margariton, USMC, SC

Specialist Daniel McCarley, US Army, FL

Airman 1st Class Kevin McCarley, USAF, Germany

Ensign Christopher McDowell, US Navy, Iraq

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

July 26, 2008

John Graven

July 27, 2008

St. Patrick Parishioners

Eda Corallo

Erwin & Dorothy Steiner

July 28, 2008

John Czasnojc

July 29, 2008

Sol Painter

July 30, 2008

Ralph Jaeger

July 31, 2008

John Draksler

August 1, 2008

Edna Timwat

August 2, 2008

Janet Friederich (Living)

Elmar & Elizabeth Van Megen

August 3, 2008

Bernie Drake

St. Patrick Parishioners

Erwin & Dorothy Steiner

Sat.

4:30

Sun.

7:30

9:00

11:00 AM

Mon.

8:00

Tue.

8:00

Wed.

8:00

Thu.

8:00

Fri.

8:00

Sat.

8:00

4:30

Sun.

7:30

9:00

11:00 AM

Mass Intentions & Schedule of Events - Page 7

The Week Ahead

Sun.

8:30 AM

7:00 PM

7:30 PM

Mon.

7:00 PM

Tue.

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

6:30 PM

Wed.

8:30 AM

9:00 AM

6:30 PM

6:45 PM

7:00 PM

Thu.

8:30 AM

9:00 AM

Fri.

6:30 PM

7:30 PM

Sat.

3:30 PM

5:30 PM

07/27/2008

Coffee and Donuts (PC)

Junior Youth Group Meeting (YR)

Al-Anon Meeting (Lib)

07/28/2008

Pastor's Class

07/29/2008

Foundations of Personal Prayer Mtg. (Lib)

Mission of St. Patrick Class (Lib)

GriefShare Meeting (Lib)

07/30/2008

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (CH)

Adult Bible Study (CR)

Men's Faith Sharing Group (MC)

Benediction (CH)

Charismatic Prayer Group (CR)

07/31/2008

Confessions before First Friday (CH)

Legion of Mary Meeting (CR)

08/01/2008

First Friday Mass (CH)

followed by K of C Potluck Dinner (PC)

Our Lady's Oratory Prayer Group (CH)

08/02/2008

Confessions (CH)

Senior Youth Group Meeting (YR)

Please pray for the members of our

St. Patrick Parish family and friends who have

died recently and for their families and friends

who mourn them, especially: Fr. Richard

Schaefer and Rosa Scott (Fr. Philip's mother).

SFC Lisa Collis Moore, US Army, Iraq

Seaman Timothy Moore, US Navy, CA

Staff Sgt. Kevin Nelson, US Army, Iraq

Airman Theresa Newbill, US Air Force, England

Sgt. Scott Platzer, US Army, South America

A. B. Michael Pourteau, USAF, TX

Pvt. Chris Reed, USMC, Iraq

Major Kristin Streukens, US Air Force

Major Scott Trapman, US Army, WA

Staff Sgt. Saturnino Vilano, Jr., US Army, Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Shawn Weismiller, US Air Force, Iraq

rayer for our Country: We pray to the Holy Spirit that God

will give us the wisdom and the courage to understand His

plan. We pray that God will change or remove Godless men and

women from positions of leadership, not only in politics but also in

the legal, medical and entertainment professions, and that the media

will assume its rightful role to be an ambassador of good news rather

than of bad news. We ask heavenly father that you will provide

healing our families, our schools, our children and our institutions.

Give each one of us the courage to make our own lives an example of

obedience to your Spirit. We pray that we will keep our minds and

hearts set upon the goal that we are one country under God once

again, a nation that reflects God's principles in our homes, in our

schools, in our marriages, in our parishes, in our newspapers,

in our movies, in our courts. Mary , our Mother, and

Patroness of our Country, intercede for us. Amen.

Diocesan Announcements

MARIAN SHRINES PILGRIMAGE: Featuring Portugal,

Spain & France (highlights include Lisbon, Fatima,

Salamanca, Madrid, Zaragoza, Lourdes, Parish Lisieux).

Departure Date: October 10-20, 2008; $2,950 per

person, double occupancy. All inclusive from Tampa:

11 days - Includes breakfast and dinners, roundtrip

airfare, accommodations, transportation by motor-coach,

escorts & guides, and daily Mass. For info, phone Ann,

585-4937.

Traveling this summer? ... If you are traveling this summer and would like to find out the Mass times

at a local Catholic Church, please phone 1-410-676-6000. Enter in the 5 digit postal zip or the first six

digits of the telephone number (area code + three digits) to find the Mass times for where you may be

traveling.

Please join Fr. Patrick Rebel on a Catholic Cruise to

Feed the Hungry, sponsored by the Society of St.

Vincent de Paul of South Pinellas, which serves over

22,900 meals delivered monthly from its St. Petersburg

Food Center. The beautiful ship, Carnival Inspiration,

sails January 12-17, 2009 from Tampa. Prices start at

$314, per person, plus donation, taxes and fuel charge.

Contact Susan Dwyer, SVDP Treasurer, at 360-7575.

Limited space.

Page 8 - `Round the Diocese & Saints Spotlight

http://www.stpatrick-largo.org

Attention all married couples: Be our guest for a

Worldwide Marriage Encounter Wine and Cheese

Community event. Learn more about the WWME

Weekend from couples who have made the Weekend.

The event will be held in St. Jerome's Catholic Church

Parish Center on Saturday, August 16

, 2008, 7 PM -

9 PM. For more information, call 727 595-7587.

St. Alfonsus Liguori (1696-1787)

Feast Day: August 1

Trained as a lawyer, St. Alphonsus

left the legal profession to become a

priest. The founder of the

Congregation of the Most Holy

Redeemer (Redemptorists) and later

a bishop, he used his gifts to preach and write on moral

theology. But St. Alphonsus understood stewardship,

too. Listen to these words from a sermon he preached

on the love of Christ: "Since God knew that man is

enticed by favors, he wished to bind him to his love by

means of gifts ... He gave him a soul, made in his

likeness, and endowed with memory, intelligence and

will; he gave him a body equipped with senses; it was

for him that he created heaven and earth and such an

abundance of things. He made all these things out of

love for man, so that all creation might serve man, and

man in turn might love God out of gratitude for so many

gifts." Do I have St. Alphonsus' "attitude of gratitude" for

all the gifts the Lord has given me?

FIRST FRIDAY DEVOTION

TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

The First Friday of each month was designated by our

Savior Himself as a day to be consecrated to honoring

His Sacred Heart ... As the object of this devotion is to

make our Savior Jesus Christ ardently and perfectly

loved, and to make reparation for the outrages offered

to Him in the past, as well as for those which He daily

receives in the Blessed Eucharist ... Jesus Christ

merits our love at all times, but alas! He is despised

and outraged in the Sacrament of His love at all times,

and so people should at all times make reparation to

Him. Attendance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is

assuredly the best means of

honoring and loving the adorable

Heart of Jesus.

Our First Friday Mass will be

at 6:30 PM on August 1, 2008.

A covered dish dinner, hosted

by the Knights of Columbus, will

follow in Msgr. McCall Hall.

Please join us! All are invited.

St. Martha

Patron Saint of cooks, homemakers,

hotelkeepers, laundry workers, servants,

single laywomen, travelers.

Feast Day: July 29

St. Martha was the sister of Mary and of Lazarus who

Jesus raised from the dead. The three were dear

friends of Jesus and he was a welcomed guest in their

home. During one such visit, Mary sat attentively at the

feet of Jesus, drinking in his every word and taking

delight in just being in his presence. Martha, on the

other hand, was busy with all the little tasks that

hospitality required for so honored a guest. If she had

served with a glad heart, just happy to be of service to

the Lord, the story might have ended there. But Martha,

perhaps a little envious of Mary's complete absorption in

the Lord, asked Jesus to insist that Mary helped her out

with the chores. Poor Martha! Not only did the Lord not

urge Mary to rise and help her, he also chided her

gently for her anxious fretting about the details. Make

no mistake Jesus loved Martha! It was just that she

had let getting ready for the Guest become more

important than the Guest himself. Lord, help us to see

that our deeds of service must always be done in

love and as love for others, and not as ends in

themselves. Help us remember that whatever we

have done with love, and for any of your children,

we have done for you.